‘Exactly what Miami needs’: another 5 former police officials back Emilio González for Mayor

Five more former law enforcement officials are getting behind former City Manager Emilio González’s bid for Miami Mayor.

They include Orlando Aguilera, Frank Fernandez, Louis Melancon, Tony Reguiera and Jeanette Said-Jinete. Each offered statements of glowing endorsement.

Said-Jinete, who previously led the Medley Police Department as Chief, called González “a leader who understands public safety and has the integrity Miami can count on.”

Aguilera, a retired Miami Deputy Police Chief, said González “brings a pedigree of service, integrity, and commitment to our country and our community.”

Fernandez, a former Deputy Miami Police Chief who led three law enforcement agencies, said González embodies leadership “grounded in integrity, service, and accountability.”

“He sets a professional standard others can follow,” Fernandez said.

Melancon, a retired Assistant Miami Police Chief, added that González’s “experience and integrity show him what needs to be done, and through his leadership he makes it happen.”

Reguiera, a former public school teacher and retired Miami Police commander, cited his firsthand experience watching González work as a City Manager, “where he demonstrated unwavering honor, dignity, and competence.”

“Emilio’s genuine dedication to our community and his remarkable ability to drive positive change are exactly what Miami needs to thrive,” he said.

The new endorsements join six others^[1] from former Police Chiefs, including former Miami-Dade County Police Director Juan Perez; former El Portal Police Chief David Magnusson, retired University of Miami Police Chief David Rivero and former Miami Police Chiefs Jorge Colina, Rodolpho Llanes and Manuel Orza.

González also enjoys support from Miami International Airport (MIA^[2]) workers union AFSCME Local 1542^[3], construction-focused trade group Associated Builders and Contractors^[4], Miami Young Republicans^[5], former Miami Director of Human Services Milton Vickers^[6], mixed martial arts star Jorge Masvidal^[7] and Emmy Award-winning reporter Michael Putney^[8], among others.

In a statement, González said he is “deeply humbled” by the added support.

“Public safety is the foundation of strong communities,” he said. “Together, we will restore integrity at City Hall, prioritize safe neighborhoods, and put Miami’s families first.”

González is a U.S. Army veteran who rose to the rank of colonel and served as Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush.

He also worked as CEO of MIA.

He currently holds several professional and appointed roles, as listed on his LinkedIn profile^[9].

González, a Republican, successfully sued^[10] Miami in July to stop officials, including Mayor Francis Suarez, from delaying the city’s election by a year, to November 2026. An appellate court then upheld the decision^[11].

He is one of 13 candidates^[12] who qualified for the Mayor’s race.

Other Republicans running include Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, former Miami Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla, Christian Cevallos, Alyssa Crocker and June Savage.

Democrats running include Miami-Dade Commissioner Eileen Higgins, former Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, Ellijah Bowdre and Michael Hepburn.

Laura Anderson, Kenneth DeSantis and former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez, who previously served as a Miami-Dade Commissioner and is the current Mayor’s father, have no party affiliation.

The Miami Mayor’s race is technically nonpartisan.

Miami’s General Election is Nov. 4. If no mayoral candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff.

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